The Mystery of the Missing Publican – Part 1 – TJ Connolly

Weather in the Tasmanian high country is unpredictable. The roaring 40s crash into the West Coast and spend themselves on the high mountains and plains.  Rain, wind, storms and snow can come quickly at any time of the year.  It catches the unprepared or unlucky. Sometimes it leaves death as its legacy.  Each tragedy scars … Read moreThe Mystery of the Missing Publican – Part 1 – TJ Connolly

The Last of the Innes Track

There was a large blaze in the side of a pencil pine beside a small stream.  That was no surprise, Ian and I were following an old marked track.  But Ian thought that the blaze was special.     We had turned off the Arm River Track and were following the old Mole Creek Track … Read moreThe Last of the Innes Track

Sloanes Bridge on the Forth River

You’d think it would be hard to lose a bridge across a major river like the Forth. Sloane’s bridge was substantial, 35 metres long and with 200 metres of formed approaches. But it disappeared a long time ago. Sloane’s bridge was built in May 1902 as part of a track from Gads Hill near Liena … Read moreSloanes Bridge on the Forth River

The Fury Hut and Tom Perry’s Hut, Fleece Creek

The old man’s voice sounds cultured but distinctly Australian, like an interwar ABC news reader. It is the voice of a man who grew up in a British colony and is still slightly wearied by fighting for the Empire at Gallipoli and in France. However, the place that affected Major Ron Smith (1881–1969) most was … Read moreThe Fury Hut and Tom Perry’s Hut, Fleece Creek

Mystery Arrangement of Stones

In Mountain Stories Blog on 4 May 2015 Simon Cubit described a mysterious pile of stones near the February Plains.  There wasn’t much to say about this anonymous heap of rocks. Simon wanted to know more.  Ian Hayes and I knew nothing of their history but Simon’s interest lodged in the back of our minds. … Read moreMystery Arrangement of Stones

An Old Track on the February Plains

Every year hundreds of walkers follow the Arm River Track to the Pelion Plains.  Most do not know the long history of the track that they use.  They do not see the other old tracks that weave through the landscape and cross the modern walking route. Some may look up the valley at Wurragarra Creek … Read moreAn Old Track on the February Plains